Both clubs have endured the sort of turbulence this season that neither have confronted for more than a decade however every of them head to Camp Nou with sparkling hope and a experience of optimism that a corner is being became.
Sunday will mark exactly months when you consider that Xavi Hernandez become appointed Barcelona train, with the crew lying 9th in La Liga, five points adrift of the top four.
The trajectory given that has now not continually been upward, with failure to qualify for the Champions League knock-out ranges previous defeat through Athletic Bilbao inside the last sixteen of the Copa del Rey.
Under Xavi, Barca have lost at domestic to Real Betis and drawn away at Osasuna, Sevilla and Granada. Even in their remaining recreation towards Alaves, which delivered a 1-zero win, the dearth of punch and creativity was arguably as clear because it ever changed into underneath Ronald Koeman.
But there's evidence now of a device and a plan, even if these players aren't always capable of executing it.
Results have improved Barca have misplaced simplest once inside the league in Xavi's 10 video games.
And children have taken another step forward, with Nico Gonzalez, Gavi and Ronald Araujo forming the beginnings of a spine around which this crew is probably capable of construct.
Most importantly, Barca have closed the gap, with only a point now keeping apart them from Atletico Madrid in fourth, meaning a win this weekend would elevate them into the Champions League qualification spots for the primary time when you consider that September.
For all the excitement about Xavi coming domestic and a brand new era coming through, Barcelona can not have the funds for to wait.
Erasing the membership's sizable debts, maintaining their sharpest skills or even being a contender to signal the likes of Erling Haaland in the summer will all rely upon Xavi's facet finishing within the top 4.
